Otter Lake has PEACOCKS!

Now, I realize that perhaps as you read the title of this post, you're thinking "Should I know Otter Lake?" And no, I do not expect anyone to know about this campground near my home. I'm just sharing this beautiful scene I got to gaze upon. This was near the last leg of my (14 mile?) bike ride.  It was a fine evening in the mountains of the Poconos.

And I happen to know there is a Peacock Pen at the edge of the lake! I went up and snapped some quick shots:

I would imagine these are the Ladies...

So then I decided to move on down to the actual pen itself.....

John had mentioned to me that he had stopped and looked in on the Peacocks, and that "Oh yeah, they are in full plummaging, this time of year..." 

So cute, in his New Yawk accent and all... ;)

When I first see him, the Big Daddy of the Pen, I mean..... I must admit...it's almost scary....

The first time I ever saw a peacock, it was when we first moved here. One night (after everyone else is asleep, of course) I noticed something out in the dark when I glanced out the kitchen window in passing. There was this huge MASS of LIVING SOMETHING and it was sitting on the railing of our back deck. It took me a minute or two to figure out what the heck it was. It's not an easily recognizable creature in the dark. Turns out, our new neighbors owned a peacock, and it had come over to perch. When it swooped down off the railing down the hill towards its' home, it was such a beautiful sight! 

So anyway, I don't know what it is, but the sight of them with those heavy long tails...  At first glance, they appear huge!

And of course, he's STARING right at me.

"Quoth the Peacock"

But they are fantastic, aren't they? Also, they have a really odd call. Kind of hard to describe. It's almost like they "hollar"...like the sound of a shrew of a wife hollarin' across the yard.

Peacocks are cool.

That's My Letter: "P" is for Personalize

That's My Letter: "P" is for Personalize

Ever struggle with painted letters on signs? Struggle no more with this simply "why-didn't-I-think-of-that" helpful tip from Jaime, author of the blog "That's My Letter"

http://thatsmyletter.blogspot.com/2011/08/p-is-for-personalize.html

Recent Flea Market Finds

A Wedding Cake Topper

Biking the Gourge

My husband and I rode our bikes along the Lehigh Gourge National Park near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania. Took a nice ride to get there, and it was worth it! Beautiful!

And of course, I got to thinking.....

Gourge is a cool word.  It's a strong, Viking kind of word. You can use it in different

ways: as a noun, as a verb...even as a curse word, if you wanted. "What the gourge is going on here!?"  "I really gourged the hell out of that thing!"  Or how about "Gourge You!"  ?

This was a looong ride...but it really was a beautiful ride. :)

Another Lamb with Daisies!

Add caption

Needle Felted Lamb with Daisies by MelaniesMenagerie on Etsy.

Sights from My Bike Ride Near the Delaware Water Gap...

When I stopped for a water break and threw down my bike....I saw, precariously close to the gears....A FIDDLEHEAD!

When buying floral arrangements, get the most for your money: BUY LOCAL!

Just placed an order for a Get Well arrangement for my husband's mother...and I thought I would pass along a helpful hint I learned a couple of years ago. Now, it may be obvious to people, but it was news to me. When purchasing an arrangement, you shouldn't go through FTD or some big company like that. What you really need to do is call the local florist closest to where you are sending the flowers and deal with them directly.

You know how FTD have these arrangement in a smiley face cup or basket? Well, as beautiful as they are, you can get an arrangement just as beautiful for less if you call direct. Because if you use a big company like FTD, all they are going to do is call that same local florist, who will make that arrangement and then mark it up. To avoid that mark-up, call them yourself! Many florists are now online and it's just as easy to place the order with them!

Let's say you have a dollar amount in mind: you want to spend $50. If you see something that a big company makes, you can tell the florist you want something comparable for around $50 and they will make something fuller and better because they don't have to pay the fee to FTD and therefore have more room to work with.

Also, keep in mind that certain flowers are cheaper than others. Daisy and carnations are cheaper and are just as beautiful as pricier flowers that are more rare. This is coming from someone who knows little to nothing about flowers, so if you are a Flower Connoissuer and have certain flower requirements, then ....there's just no talking to you. lol! Just kidding. But if you are that "into flowers," you no doubt know all of this already.

Here's a link for more Flower Buying Advice: http://blog.timesunion.com/thelist/cheap-er-inexpensive-flowers-for-mom/509

My latest inspiration...

This little pooch is just part of my latest project...an art doll of kitschy proportions!